Portable combined display fixture and room divider screen



March 2, 1965v J. J. NELSON ETAL 3,171,543

PORTABLE COMBINED DISPLAY FIXTURE AND ROOM DIVIDER SCREEN Filed Nov. 12,1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 52 4O 52 6 so 4 INVENTORS A TT6RNE Y March 2, 1965J. J. NELSON ETAL 3,171,543

PORTABLE con/swan DISPLAY FIXTURE AND ROOM DIVIDER SCREEN Filed Nov. 12,1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 2, 1965 J. J. NELSON ETAL 3,171,543

PORTABLE COMBINED DISPLAY FIXTURE AND ROOM DIVIDER SCREEN Filed Nov. 12,1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I III INVENTORS BY 2 gem/J.

A ORNEY United States Patent ice 3,171,543 PORTABLE COMBINED DISPLAYFIXTURE AND ROOM DIVIDER SCREEN James J. Nelson, Washington Township,Lucas County, and James E. Jones, Toledo, Ohio, assignors to Ohio PlateGlass (Iompany of Toledo, a corporation of Ohio Filed Nov. 12, 1963,Ser. No. 322,948 2 Claims. (Cl. 21145) Our invention essentiallyconcerns fixtures for use by merchandisers to display goods or samplesas a part of the selling process of such goods. The need for fixtures ofthis kind arises particularly in marketing centers where buyers come toinspect, select and order goods. Their use is more commonplace toretailing activities, but is not altogether unknown or useless inwholesaling.

In both fields of activity, the element of good taste and practicalconvenience are of major importance. Hence, it is the principal objectof our invention to provide a fixture that is portable about the salesfloor and serves, while effectively displaying goods to good advantage,to use the goods themselves as a decorative and efficient room dividerscreen. This allows a number of sales presentations to be made on thesame sales floor and assures that interest will be centered andmaintained on the goods in each presentation at intervals and tends toprevent confusion and inattention that results from allowing merchandiseor activities elsewhere on the sales floor to distract the buyer andseller.

Another important object of our invention is to provide a portablecombined display fixture and room divider screen which lends itself mostaptly to the display of yard goods, particularly fabrics, like thoseused for carpeting and the like. In that connection, the invention hasfor one of its corollary objects to provide means by which yard goods orswatches thereof may be held in individual display relation at a levelconvenient to the reach and eye of the viewer and which, in suchholding, provides the substance of the room dividing screen. Thus, whena plurality of yard good materials are being displayed at one time, thedisplay presents an interesting range in color and contrast.

A particular object of our invention is to provide, in a portablecombined display fixture and room divider screen, a plurality ofadjacent, angularly related frames, each formed by having a pair ofvertically spaced, parallel and horizontally extending cross bars joinedat each of their ends to one of a pair of horizontally spaced, paralleland vertically extending riser bars, the riser bars of adjacent framesbeing common to both frames, the frames supporting a plurality of grillelements mounted for pivotal movement by a means on and in engagementwith each grill element engaging one of the frame riser bars, wherebyeach grill element may, in one position of inclined relation to theframe, serve as a display holder desk and, in a position in a plane withthe frame, serve as a display holder vertically extending grating.

A more particular object of our invention is to provide grill elementsof the kind mentioned that comprise a pair of horizontally spaced,parallel and vertically extending end straps and a plurality ofvertically spaced, parallel and horizontally extending tubular rungs,each rung being in engagement at each of the opposite ends thereof withone of the end straps and being of such length that, when the grillelement is placed in a frame, the opposite end straps nest insubstantially snug engaging relation with facing surfaces of the frameriser bars.

A still further particular object of the invention is to provide anoperable means, in movable engagement with one of the grill elementstraps, adapted, when operated in one direction, to engage one of theframe riser bars to 3,171,543 Patented Mar. 2, 1965 lock the grillelement against pivotal movement relative to the frame and, whenoperated in the opposite direc= tion, adapted to disengage the engagedframe riser bar to allow free pivotal movement of the grill elementrelative to the frame. v

A still further and more particular object of our in vention is toprovide means on the grill element which, when the grill element is in adesk position, provides a shelf to prevent display materials disposed onthe grill element from sliding off the grill element. Such means,embodied as in a batten strip removably affixed to one of the mentionedrungs of the grill element, facilitates the display and contributesotherwise to a pleasing appearance of the fixture.

There are other and more particular objects which the invention serves.These will appear from the following description and a consideration ofthe drawings that accompany the same. The description and drawingsdescribe and illustrate a structure that now appears to us to be thebest mode by which our invention may be embodied and its teachingcarried out. However, it is not our intention, by such description orillustration, to imply that no other form other than that described andillustrated is within the contemplation of our invention, except as suchmay be specifically delineated hereinafter.

In the mentioned drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portable combined displayfixture and room divider screen embodying our invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view, in plan, of the portable combined displayfixture and room divider shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of an element of the screenshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a longitudinal vertical section taken alongthe plane of the line 44 indicated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of a transverse vertical section of the partsshown in FIG. 4 taken at right angles to the view shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a view of parts shown, some in section, in FIG. 5 and taken onthe plane of the line 66 indicated in FIG. 5.

The portable combined display fixture and room divider screen shown inthe accompanying drawings and indicated at 10 in FIG. 1 thereof hasframe parts 20 and grill elements 30.

Each frame part 20 has a pair of horizontally spaced, parallel andvertically extending riser bars 21. Connected to the riser bars 21 ofeach frame and extending between them are a pair of vertically spaced,parallel and horizontally extending cross bars 22. Preferably, the crossbars 22 connect at their ends with the riser bars 21 at points thereonthat are, in one instance, near the lower end of each riser bar and, inthe other instance, closer to the upper end of each riser bar. Thus, theriser and cross bars together define an enframed open area or space 23in which grill elements 30, hereinafter described, are supported in amanner and by means to be described.

Preferably, one of the riser bars 21 of each adjacent frame 20 is commonto both frames, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Also preferably, thelower end of each riser bar 21 is footed, as by supporting a skid unit24 on which the screen frames may be not only supported but also beeasily slid over a floor. Still further, the outer end-most riser bars21 of the screen 10 may have fins 26 of wood or simulations thereof oneither side thereof as shown in FIG. 1, to not only give a decorativeeffect but also to provide handles by which the screen 10 may be moved.

Within the frame area 23 thus enclosed, a plurality vertically spaced,parallel and horizontally extending tubular rungs 32 that connect attheir opposite ends topoints on the end straps 31 spaced along thelength thereof. The rungs 32 of each grill element 30 are all of thesame length. Such length is that which substantially equals the distancebetween riser :bars'21 of a frame 20, less the thickness of the two rungconnected end straps 31 of the grill element. The length of the rungs,it will be thus seen, is such that when the grill element 30 is placedin the space 23 between the riser bars 21, the end straps 31 'will nestin a substantially snugengaging relation with facing surfaces of suchriser bars. This relation is-shown best in FIG. 1 of the accompanyingdrawings, Whenso located, the grill elements 30, in their distributionwithin the space 23, form a vertically extending grating. I

Various means may inter'engage the 'eiid StrapS 31 and riser bars '21 toretain the grill element 30 within the space '23. However, in anembodiment of our invention like that shown in the drawings, wecontemplate that such means shall aflix the grill element 30 for"pivotal move ment, as from a'position in plane withthe frame 20,indicated at 300 to a position inclined to the frame 20, indicated at3000. The position'of the grill element at 3000 compares, with favorableanalogy, to that of the desk on a music stand and enables'the display offlat sheet or book size materials, distinguished from the facility ofthe grill element, when in grating forming position 300, to display yardor strip 'runnerfgoods and the like. The means by which this is madepractical is by bolts 40, one of which passes'through'an opening 33 ineach end strap 31 and threadably engages the adjacent riser bar 21. 'Bytightening or 'lcmseriing, asby rotaing the bolts 40, in 'one or theother direction, the grill element ma'y be held against or freed forpivotal movement relative to the frame to and from the positions 300 and3000. I I

Preferably, to supplement thegrill element "ability to hold a fiat sheetand the'like when in the desk inclined position 300, we provide a battenstrip 34 removably, if desired, affixed by suitable means to one of therungs 32, preferably the lowermost in the grill element 30. The strip34, when so provided, extends in substantially continuous surfacecontact with the rung 32 iteng'ages and in a plane normal to the plane'dfined by the plu- I rality of rungs 32 of thegrill element30. In suchposition, the batten strip 34 forms a material supporting ledge.

In order to positively lock the grill element 30in one I of thepositions 300 or 3000 and to thus supplement the clutching actionobtainedby tightening the bolts 40, we provide means, such as a lockbolt 41 and a link 42. The lock bolt 41 extends through and runs free ina second opening 35, preferably in each of the end straps 31. Theopening 35 is spaced from the opening 33 that supports the bolt 40.Thelock bolt 41 is adapted also to extend into and threadably'engage theneighboring riser bar 21, such as in opening 25 therein, and thus tolock the grill element 30 against movement from the 300 grate formingposition. v 1

To look the grill element 30 in theinclined 3000 desk forming position,we depend on means embodied in the'double ended goose-neck link 42'tosupplement the clutch action "of the bolts 40 on the grill element 30.One end 421 of the link 42 is adapted to extend into and pivotallyengage the opening 35 in the end straps 31 and the other end 432 of thelink 42 extends into and pivotally engages opening 25 in the riser bars'21. When so positioned, the link 42 acts to brace the grill element 30in its inclined desk forming position 3000.

If desired, in place of disposing a plurality of grill elements 30 inthe space 23 of the centrally formed frame 20 of the screen 10, adecorative piece, such as the wood on simulation panel 50 maybesupported in that space and thereby supplytcontrast to swatches andsamples displayed on the grill element 30 in the adjacent frames. Thus,it will be appreciated that our invention lends itself to use in manykinds of display and merchandising situations. Goods of like, ofcomplementary and even of contrasting kind, color and texture may beassembled for various 'eifects and comparisons. The merchandisermayeasily, quickly and without more than ordinary mechanical skills andknowledge, adapt a display of our invention to form the screeningdisplay grating mentioned to one advantage; the plurality of shelvingsmentioned, on which swatches are shown, handled and temporarily stored,to another advantage; or a combination of grating and shelving to athird advantage. The screen may be ported-from place to place, as in thesales room, to partition such area into a number of more restricted and;intimate booth-like compartments, to thus produce a concentrated displayor one in an association with other related artifacts withoutinterference with theme 'of other of the sales room areas. Such assemblyand reassembly canbe effected almost instantly, as the occasionrequires, .withoutthe need of mechanics or erection personnel or unusualknow how. Thus our invention serves many of the practical and aestheticneeds of merchandisers at low cost and With appreciable simplicity and.efliciency.

We claim: I l. A section for a portable combined display fixture androom divider screen having a frame comprising a pair of verticallyspaced, parallel and horizontally extending cros's bars and a pair ofhorizontally spaced, parallel and vertically extending ri'ser barsconnected to the'ends of the cross bars; a grill element adapted tobe'i'n engagement with said frame having 1 a pair of horizontallyspaced, parallel extending straps of a length mat'erially less than thevertical'distance between the frame c'ross bars and a plurality'ofvertically spaced, parallel extending tubular rungs, I I each of alength substantially equalto 'the horizontal distance between 'the frameriser bars and connected at each of the opposite ends thereof with anend strap to thus. dispose the end'straps in a spaced relation allowingnesting and substantially snug 'engaging relation thereof with facingsurfacesofthe frame riser bars when the grill element is placed inthefrarne; means cache of th'eend straps in engagement with one of theriser 'bars adapted to support the grill element'for pivotalmovemen't'relative thereto; asecond means on the one of the end strapsand being manually operated "to engage one of the riser bars I andadapted when's'o engaging tohold't'he grill"element against movementrelative to the frame and when inclined thereto infa position to providea display holder desk and when in plane therewith in a position toprovide a display holder grating. 2. In a portable combined displayfixture and room divider screen comprising three adjacent, angularlyrelated frames; "each frarne having I I I I a pair of verticallyspaced,parallel and horizontally extending metal tubular'cross bars anda pair of horizontally spaced, parallel and vertically extending metaltubular riser bars connected-to the ends of the cross bars to definetherewith an enframed space, the riser bars of adjacent frames being"common to both frames; the combination therewith of two sets of threegrill elements each adapted to be in engagement with and disposed oneach of the two end most frames; each grill element having a pair ofhorizontally spaced, parallel and vertically extending metal end strapsand five vertically spaced, parallel and horizontally extending metaltubular rungs, each rung being of a length substantially equal to thehorizontal distance between riser bars of the outer most end frames andbeing connected at each of opposite ends thereof with an end strap that,when a grill element is placed in the enframed space of one of the outermost end frames, the end straps Will nest in substantially snug engagingrelation with facing surfaces of the riser bars of the outer most endframes; a pair of bolts in engagement with each pair of end straps andin axial alignment with each other adapted to threadably engage riserbars nesting with the mentioned end straps and thereby support a grillelement 2 for pivotal movement relative to the mentioned riser bars; and

bars.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS CLAUDE A. LE ROY,Primary Examiner.

1. A SECTION FOR A PORTABLE COMBINED DISPLAY FIXTURE AND ROOM DIVIDERSCREEN HAVING A FRAME COMPRISING A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SPACED, PARALLELAND HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING CROSS BARS AND A PAIR OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED,PARALLEL AND VERTICALLY EXTENDING RISER BARS CONNECTED TO THE ENDS OFTHE CROSS BARS; A GRILL ELEMENT ADAPTED TO BE IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAIDFRAME HAVING A PAIR OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED, PARALLEL EXTENDING STRAPS OFA LENGTH MATERIALLY LESS THAN THE VERTICAL DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FRAMECROSS BARS AND A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED, PARALLEL EXTENDINGTUBULAR RUNGS, EACH OF A LENGTH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE HORIZONTALDISTANCE BETWEEN THE FRAME RISER BARS AND